Orland Fire Protection District hosts Open House to showcase life saving techniques and equipment

Nearly 500 people attended an open house hosted by the Orland Fire Protection District at the Chief Art Granat, Sr., Training Campus Saturday (Sept. 24, 2022) that featured an up-close look at the techniques firefighters used to respond to emergencies.

Demonstrations by firefighters included: a rope rescue showing how individuals can be rescued from apartment buildings; the dive team demonstrated how they can rescue individuals from local ponds and lakes; a vehicle extrication demonstrating lifesaving techniques used to rescue individuals from car accidents; the side-by-side burns which show how fire is inhibited in a room with sprinklers versus a room that does not have sprinklers; and a hazmat static display showcasing techniques and equipment used to respond to dangerous chemical accidents.

Orland Fire Protection District Fire Chief Michael Schofield welcomed everyone to the return of the Fire District’s annual Open House which have been postponed during the COVID pandemic since 2020.

“The Orland Fire Protection District is an ISO Class 1 and we are internationally accredited and we are very excited to show off what we do and how we do it,” Schofield said referring to the national agency that measures and scores a fire department’s ability to protect a community. ISO has given the OFPD its highest rating.

Orland Fire Protection DIstrict Firefighters demonstrate lifesaving techniques in vehicle rescue. Photo courtesy Steve Neuhaus

“We have one of the finest fire departments in the area. The men and women here in Orland are very proud. So don’t hesitate to go up to any of these people and ask questions. Thank you for coming out. We appreciate it.”

The Orland Fire Protection District also has one of the highest “Save Rates” in the country, which means that an individual who has a heart attack in the district has a 65 percent chance of survival, compared to the regional and national average of only 10-15 percent.

The Open House featured entertainment, an area where children learned about fire prevention and enjoyed fun activities including face painting. And there was a barbecue where attendees received free food.

Many co-sponsors featured displays including the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department, the Orland Park Police Department, information from Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs, the Orland Park Public Library, the Lions Club which provided eye screenings, Walgreens, EZCloud Solutions gave attendees giveaways at the Training Campus at 10728 163rd Place.

Orland Fire Protection District fire trucks on display at Open House Saturday Sept. 24, 2022. Photo courtesy of the OFPD

This year’s OFPD Open House theme is “Fire won’t wait — Plan your escape™” and showcased awareness of the upcoming annual Fire Prevention Week™ October 9 through 15, 2022.

The Lions Club will provide eye screening, one for children and one for adults. The Open House will also feature live music, a free Barbecue for attendees, face-painting, water ball, CPR, drone display, many kid’s activities and a 911 center where people can watch how a 911 call is made and answered.

Outdoor section where children learned about safety techniques and enjoyed face painting and other activities at the OFPD Open House Saturday Sept. 24, 2022. Photo courtesy of the OFPD

An Honor guard will post colors at 10:15 AM, with demonstrations scheduled throughout the day including: Rope Rescue at 10:30 AM; the Dive Team at 11 AM; Vehicle Extrication at 11:30 AM; the Side-by-Side Burns at 12:15 AM; and a Hazmat Static Display.

For more information visit www.OrlandFire.org.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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